PSAT Reading Question 387: Answer and Explanation

Question: 387

Suppose that at the time of the passage's writing the United States had a trade pact with a European country that had been in place for some time. We can reasonably infer that Washington would suggest what should be done to this pact?

• A. It should be maintained.
• B. It should be renegotiated.
• C. It should be abandoned.
• D. It should be built upon with political agreements.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

(A) Washington states in lines 32–33 that when it comes to existing treaty obligations, he wishes for "those engagements" to be observed since doing otherwise would be dishonest. So Washington would want to maintain an existing trade treaty (pact). Choice (A) is also supported by Washington's advocacy of economic interactions with other nations.